No defensive lineman earned a higher overall pass-rushing grade while lined up against a center last season than Kenny Clark of the Green Bay Packers.
According to Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus, Clark’s 91.5 pass-rushing grade as a 0- or 1-technique was the highest in the NFL in 2018.
Clark also earned the second-best grade run-stopping grade in the same pre-snap scenarios, proving he terrorized centers regardless of the play type.
Just for reference: The 0-technique is when a defensive lineman is lined up directly over the center. The 1-technique is shaded slightly to either side of the center.
PFF considered Clark the “prototypical defensive lineman” in the 0- and 1-techniques, ahead of even Damon “Snacks” Harrison of the Detroit Lions.
“…the rise of the passing game has forced even nose tackles to up their game in the pass-rush, and no one affects the pass better between the guards than the Packers nose tackle,” Renner wrote.
Clark, the Packers’ first-round pick in 2016, led the team’s defense in both run stops and total pressures last season. He has developed into a dominant interior force and one of the NFL’s very best young defensive linemen.
His ability to consistently beat one-on-one blocks and win as a pass-rusher has helped him separate among his peers. He is often too quick laterally or too powerful straight on for centers to handle one-on-one, and offenses typically have a more difficult time containing interior pressure.
It will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Mike Pettine can create even more opportunities for Clark to rush the passer against centers in 2019. The Packers revamped their edge rushing group and added versatility up front, and it’s possible the addition of Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary could put Clark in even more favorable pass-rushing situations this season. If so, Clark could easily threaten 10 or more sacks during his fourth year.
._Patrick_s_Day_Parade_94380.jpg?w=600)
